Of the 47 coal mining fatalities recorded in 2006, 20 were due to fires and explosions, 16 resulted from contact with objects and equipment, and 9 were transportation incidents. There were no fatalities involving fires or explosions recorded in 2005.

West Virginia had the most coal mining fatalities in 2006, accounting for nearly half (49 percent) of all fatal injuries in the industry. West Virginia was followed by Kentucky, which accounted for 30 percent of the coal mining fatalities in 2006.